tongues wag

Idioms  

1. People are gossiping. For example, Tongues wagged when another police car was parked in front of their house, or Their arrival in a stretch limousine set the neighbors' tongues wagging. This metaphoric expression transfers the rapid movement of the tongue to idle or indiscreet chatter. [Late 1500s]

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Example Sentences

In Bhutan, chilis aren’t just a spicy ingredient that makes eyes water and tongues wag.

From Salon • Jan. 15, 2026

Then, issue a press guidance that he will be making an announcement on Tuesday and watch the tongues wag.

From Salon • Sep. 5, 2025

It was for other distracting reasons that the selection made tongues wag — at least among those who spend their Sunday evenings watching CBS’s “The Good Wife.”

From Washington Post • Jan. 21, 2015

After the inquest, village tongues wag, stones are thrown, and Augustine leaves under a cloud of evil gossip to travel.

From Time Magazine Archive

Not even spiced ale makes their tongues wag in that direction.

From A Lad of Grit A Story of Adventure on Land and Sea in Restoration Times by Westerman, Percy F. (Percy Francis)